Islamic 'gay' exorcisms sign of growing conservatism in Indonesia: rights groups

Rights groups have expressed concerns over incidents of religious conversion therapy for LGBTQI people, fearing the practice may increase as religion becomes a focus ahead of the elections in 2019.

An Islamic cleric conducts a religious exorcism on the television program Ruqyah. Source: TRANS7

Islamic exorcisms are being used as conversion therapy in parts of Indonesia with one Indonesian television program even televising the ritual on an allegedly gay man.

The television show called Ruqyah is named after an Islamic exorcism practice known by the same name.

The religious exorcisms see verses of the Koran read out to participants undergoing the ritual to rid them of supernatural or demonic influences.

The Indonesian television program Ruqyah televises Islamic exorcisms - in this episode to "cure" an allegedly gay man. Source: TRANS7

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